It seems like the turmoil in the Lakers Organization continues to spread. Magic Johnson held no punches about why he called in quits in his previous role with the franchise.
At the moment it seems inevitable that the Golden State Warriors will capture their fifth Western conference finals championship. Despite the 3-0 commanding lead, today’s story is focused on the beloved purple and gold organization. Earlier today the former Lakers President of Basketball Operations, Earvin Magic Johnson took to the popular sports show “First Take”. Ultimately the former Lakers champion decided not to hold any punches when it came to why he left.
Magic Johnson Lakers
“I start hearing, ‘Magic, you are not working hard enough. Magic’s not in the office,'” Johnson told First Take. “People around the Lakers office were telling me Rob was saying things, Rob Pelinka, and I didn’t like those things being said behind my back, that I wasn’t in the office enough. So I started getting calls from my friends outside of basketball saying those things now were said to them outside of basketball now, just not in the Lakers office anymore.”
Prior to the former all-star guard officially took the position, him and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss had a serious conversation. Johnson made it known that he would only take on the position if he had full power over basketball operations. At the time it was agreed that Johnson would be able to call his own shots and staff. However, that wasn’t the case when he looked to fire at the time Lakers coach Luke Walton.
As time went on Earvin started to face more of an uphill battle from numerous sides. Despite being able to convince the 3-time champion, LeBron James, to sign the Lakers have been nothing short of horrendous. Ultimately Johnson would resign without giving the heads up to the beloved franchise. Including not speaking with LeBron prior to the announcement.
Things took a turn for the worse when Johnson called Rob Pelinka a backstabber while the show was live. Pelinka is currently the general manager fulfilling Johnson’s previous role making basketball decision. More chaos came into play as today the Lakers announced their new coach in Frank Vogue.
“I think the most important thing for me is the two years of being able to work side by side with Earvin are the some of the greatest memories I have in sports and work,” Pelinka said. “He is an unbelievable person to work with. He fills the room with joy and vision. It’s really saddening and disheartening to think he believes things are in this perception. I think all of us in life probably have been through things where maybe there’s third party, there’s he said, she said things that aren’t true. I have talked to him several times since he decided to step away and we had many joyous conversations.“
Will Magic be able to repair his relationship with the Lakers? Can they attract another big star in LA?
Feature Image Credit: SB Nation
